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Transformers – Self-reconfiguring Robots

In fiction, Transformers are non-biological extraterrestrials who come to Earth to harvest energy for their life force. These "NBEs", like Optimus Prime, can morph into trucks, jets cars and just about any other bit of tech, to fit into our world. The idea of self-reconfiguring robots isn’t that new to reality. There already exists a Superbot created by NASA that demonstrates ways in which it can self-repair and self assemble. A research group in the University of Pennsylvania even had a modular robot that could reassemble itself after being kicked apart. Eventually, US researchers are hoping to build a Superbot that could decide, by itself, to transform and adapt to its environment, depending on the job at hand. We're not so sure we like the idea. Robots building robots? Are these the only science geeks who haven't heard of The Terminator, The Matrix or Asimov's I, Robot? People, curiousity killed the cat and A.I. with arms and legs will kill you. Us biological-terrestrials need to stick together!

Iron Man – Iron Suit

Tony Stark’s suit is what turns him into a superhero. The armour from the 'Iron' suit is made out of an incredibly strong material which is bolstered by a force field. The suit allows him to take flight through a magnetic force beam that discharges from the gloves and the chest area. It boosts his natural strength and gives him the ability to control an advanced onboard weapons system, communicate through radio waves and find targets through radar.

Although, we are far from building a suit that allows ordinary men to become superheroes, a robotics company called Sarcos have unveiled the XOS Exoskeleton, which works in very much the same way the 'Iron' suit does. It can enhance strength and endurance up to 20 times and is surprisingly lightweight. The only hurdle left now for the makers of the XOS suit is battery life. Sarcos have found it a real challenge powering this suit for longer than half an hour on a single charge. Looks like we're still no closer to inventing a portable electromagnetic pulse generator.